Benzocaine / cetylpyridinium / menthol News

WEDNESDAY, July 5, 2017 – A dip in a pool, stream or lake on a hot summer day is refreshing, but take some precautions to avoid bacteria and parasites that might lurk in the water. "One of the worst offenders is the kiddie wading pool," said Dr. Christopher Ohl, a professor of infectious diseases at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C. "Warm, shallow water and kids in swim diapers – which don't do a good job of containing feces – can create a perfect breeding ground for water-borne infections even though the water is chlorinated," he said. "The best way to prevent young children from getting sick is to keep them from swallowing that water." Ohl offered some other tips: For starters, keep children who have had any type of gastrointestinal illness away from pools or water parks for several days to prevent contamination of the water. Don't swallow the water when ... Read more

MONDAY, May 15, 2017 – Men troubled by the embarrassment of premature ejaculation might soon have an easy way to avoid it, new research suggests. Special "wipes" embedded with a mild anesthetic – benzocaine – appear to help reduce premature ejaculation, a small new study has found. According to the American Urological Association (AUA), premature ejaculation is the most common form of male sexual dysfunction, affecting about one in three men aged 18 to 59. Currently, drug treatments for premature ejaculation in the United States are limited to creams or sprays, the AUA said. "Premature ejaculation means ejaculation in less than 2 minutes after penetration," explained one urologist, Dr. David Samadi. He's chief of urology at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. While benzocaine and other anesthetics have been used before to treat the condition, their use in a bedside wipe is new, he ... Read more

TUESDAY, Jan. 31, 2017 – Itchy skin is a common problem, but there are several ways to find relief, a dermatologist says. "There are many reasons for itchy skin," Dr. Hassan Galadari said in an American Academy of Dermatology news release. "It could be the result of a skin condition, such as eczema, shingles, hives or psoriasis, or it could be a sign of a contagious disease, like scabies or ringworm." To relieve itchy skin, Galadari offers these tips: Apply a cold, wet cloth or ice pack to the itchy area for five to 10 minutes or until the itch subsides. Or take an oatmeal bath. Use skin moisturizers that contain no additives, fragrances or perfumes. Apply topical anesthetics that contain pramoxine. Apply cooling agents such as menthol or calamine, or refrigerate your moisturizer to help achieve this cooling effect. Avoid scratching. It will irritate your skin and could lead to ... Read more

TUESDAY, Dec. 20, 2016 – A commercial brand of mouthwash can help control gonorrhea bacteria in the mouth, and daily use may offer a cheap and easy way to reduce the spread of the sexually transmitted disease, a small study from Australia contends. Gonorrhea rates among men are on the rise in many countries due to declining condom use, and most cases occur in gay/bisexual men, researchers said. The maker of Listerine mouthwash has claimed as far back as 1879 that it could be used against gonorrhea, though no published research has ever proved it. In laboratory tests, the authors of this new study found that Listerine Cool Mint and Total Care (which are both 21.6 percent alcohol) significantly reduced levels of gonorrhea bacteria. A salt water (saline) solution did not. The researchers then conducted a clinical trial with 58 gay/bisexual men who previously tested positive for gonorrhea ... Read more

Friday, Dec. 9, 2016 – You've fed your baby, changed your baby, but the baby is still cranky. It's possible he or she is uncomfortable because tiny teeth are trying to push through the gums. What can you do to ease the pain? One approach is to offer a plain, solid teething ring, which lets the baby apply pressure to ease the pain. While chilling the teething ring may provide added relief, don't freeze it because the extreme cold can be harmful rather than soothing, dental experts say. "Your child's gums can be sensitive during this time, and your child will know how much pressure they should apply to try and relieve the pain. They're their best teacher and, in this instance, know what they need," said Dr. William Wathen, associate professor at Texas A&M University's College of Dentistry. Massaging a baby's gums with a clean finger or a cooled washcloth is also soothing. If you've ... Read more

-- Canker sores are painful lesions that tend to develop inside the cheek or lips, on the gums or under the tongue. The American Academy of Family Physicians offers this advice to help ease canker sore pain: Avoid chewing gum. Steer clear of foods that are particularly spicy, crunchy or hard. Use a soft toothbrush after every meal, and floss daily to rid your mouth of lingering food. Talk to your doctor if you develop frequent canker sores. Read more

SATURDAY, July 18, 2015 – If your child develops an itchy rash, it could be hives, experts say. Common symptoms of hives – which are usually temporary and harmless – include: slightly raised, pink or red areas on the skin; welts that occur alone, in a group, or that connect over a large area; and skin swelling, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Hives can be triggered by a wide variety of things, including allergic reactions to food or medication, infections, exercise, stress, cold temperatures, insect bites and stings, pollen, sun exposure and scratching the skin. "The best remedy for hives is to try to avoid whatever triggers them, although identifying this is often difficult," Dr. Bruce Brod, a clinical professor of dermatology at University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, said in an AAD news release. "One way to help identify your triggers is to keep a log ... Read more

WEDNESDAY, July 1, 2015 – The prescription drops your child is using for ear pain could be among 16 unapproved medications targeted this week by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These drugs, prescribed and sold for years to relieve ear pain and swelling, have not been evaluated for safety, quality and effectiveness, the agency said Wednesday. The agency notified the drugs' makers to stop marketing the drops following a few reports of local allergic reactions of the ear, eye, face, neck and mouth. The drops can also cause itching, stinging, burning and irritation of the ear, according to an FDA news release. "If we don't know whether these drugs have any benefits, we should not accept any possible risk of side effects," said the FDA's Dr. Charles Lee in the news release. The FDA did not release the names of the companies or the medications involved, but did note that "unapproved ... Read more